TV shows are mostly known for their heroes. But some TV shows accidentally make their villains so good that they become even more interesting than the heroes of those TV shows. So we find ourselves rooting for the villain more than the hero. And it's funny because are we even supposed to be rooting for them?
You start off thinking the villain is just another obstacle. He is just someone that the main character will eventually defeat. But then something happens and you find yourself glued to the screen every time the villain appears. Their scenes and dialogues pull you in; their lines impact more than those of the heroes. And suddenly you care more about what they’ll do next than what the hero will.
Villains stop being just "the bad guy" when they are written too well. They start driving the show’s emotions and storylines in ways the hero can’t. They can be masterminds or just plain charmers with an ill intent, they will end up overshadowing their supposed counterparts. Let’s look at 5 TV shows that gave us villains who became unforgettable.
Disclaimer: The article reflects the writer's opinions. Readers' discretion is advised.
TV shows where villains are way more interesting than their heroes
1) Homelander - The Boys

Well, this one needs no introduction. He is the superhero from the world of The Boys who is way too terrifying in his cruelty. For the world, he’s the symbol of hope. In reality, he’s everything wrong with power wrapped up in a cape. He is super fascinating because of how the show portrays him. He never lets you forget that the so-called “heroes” aren’t much better than the ordinary man. His smirk, his speeches, even the way he looks at people, everything screams danger. And frankly, the moments that you actually remember the most in The Boys are usually when he’s on the screen.
2) Cersei Lannister - Game of Thrones

Cersei didn’t need dragons or swords to become one of the most unforgettable villains in TV show history. She used her mind and her sheer determination to become powerful. Even though others didn't want her to have it. It perhaps won't be wrong to say that the supposed heroes of Game of Thrones often fumbled with their ideals. But Cersei knew what she wanted and how to get that very thing. Every move made by her was calculated and every word was carefully chosen. She was ruthless but she also made sense. You didn’t have to like her to respect her. In fact, she didn't expect anybody to like her. She never pretended to be anything but herself.
3) Livia Soprano - The Sopranos

Gone are the days when TV shows had villains with loud evil laughters. Now, villains hide in plain sight. They could even be a member of your family, like in The Sopranos. Livia Soprano was a master when it came to manipulation. She didn’t need violence or weapons. She used guilt, disappointment, and silence as her tools. Livia was the kind of villain who could ruin your life just by saying a few mean words. Her relationship with Tony proves how words can sometimes be the biggest weapon of all. She didn't need to be a mob boss to hurt people. She was just a mother who weaponized love. But that's what made her more haunting than any mobster with a gun.
4) Gus Fring - Breaking Bad / Better Call Saul
A villain who hides under the mask of a gentleman is what describes Gus Fring the best. He is evil wearing a suit and a tie. Gus Fring is perhaps the calmest and the most polite person you will meet. But he is also terrifyingly precise. Gus redefined what a TV show villain could be. He's driven by control, not passion, which most usually is the case. He plans each and every move and also every expression on his face. Walter White may have been the “hero” of Breaking Bad, but Gus is the unlikely character who remains in our memory forever. And that’s why he remains one of the greatest villains TV shows have ever created.
5) Lalo Salamanca - Better Call Saul
Lalo will make you feel comfortable before he makes the world slip right under you. He’s charming, funny, and so effortlessly confident that you forget how dangerous he is. That makes him really fascinating as a villain. This type is rare in TV show villains. The other characters in Better Call Saul are all serious. But Lalo strolls in with a grin and we immediately know that's menace right there. Every scene he’s in feels like it could explode at any second, and you can’t look away. He enjoys being bad and we enjoy watching him be bad.
Perhaps the best thing about these TV shows isn’t their heroes after all. It’s the villains who make us question our morals and values. But well, sometimes when the writing is too good, the villain becomes the very reason we can’t stop watching.
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